7 Tips for a Pet Friendly Meeting

I have attended the last three BlogPaws conferences, half of these with dogs (I brought my dogs on the last day to my first conference). I’ve learned a few things on what can make this a pleasant experience for both you and your pets.

1. Is your pet healthy? Obviously, you wouldn’t bring an unhealthy pet to the conference. But is she up to date on all vaccines?
   • My vet recommended a Bordetella booster for Buffy before we attended last year.

     

2. Will the crowds and other pets stress my pet? Remember we will be in a hotel with hundreds of other people and many will have pets.
   • At the first BlogPaws I attended in Nashville, I was amazed at all the dogs, cats, and even piglets that people brought. For the first two days of the conference, I did not bring my cockers, Buffy and Chipper. But on the last day, my husband couldn’t take care of them, so I brought both dogs to the conference. I knew Chipper did not like other dogs, so I kept them on a tight leash and stayed away from all other pets as much as possible. This proved challenging at times and I was happy to just get through the day without an incident. It would have been too stressful for all of us to bring them to the entire conference.
   • Buffy attended last year with me. She was easy to handle and got along with most people and pets. We both enjoyed the conference, although I think all the walking around wore her out. She liked the talks best so she could rest and the vendors who gave her treats.
   • Last year, my accountability partner brought her small dog. Even though she had a stroller, her dog was stressed by all the large dogs. She ended up spending a large part of the conference in her hotel room comforting her dog.
3. Is your pet well trained? Will she be able to heal, leave it, and lay down calmly at your feet or on a chair?
   • You may want to practice your obedience before the conference.
   • For a small dog or cat, you may want to bring a pet stroller. Many attendees use one.
4. What is your purpose for attending the conference? Are you there primarily to learn more about blogging? To network? To show off your pet? To meet with the exhibitors? Will you succeed at these goals better with or without your pet?
   • Yes, a pet will attract people to you and are a great conversation starter, but if you think your pet will prevent you from focusing on your goals, maybe you shouldn’t bring her, or use the pet parks to give yourself some free time.
5. Do you have a backup plan for your pet?

   

   • Use the Pet Parks room, hotel room, crate, walks, or a partner to watch your pet. Bringing your pet with you everywhere can be an experience, especially when bringing them into the bathroom.
   • BlogPaws provides a room or several for Pet Parks. Last year the rooms were divided into young dogs, small dogs, and senior dogs. I did not use them, but I visited one to check it out. The room had an attendant to monitor the dogs, plus several crates and toys. Dogs could run around or sleep in a crate.
6. Will you be sharing a room? Do they have pets and will they get along?
7. How will you travel with your pet to BlogPaws? Airline, driving? Except for the smallest pets you will likely have to drive there since they will be too big to put under the seat in an airline.
   • I wish airlines would let me bring my dog if I bought her a seat. She’s not a therapy dog.

Here are a few tips if you bring your dog to the conference:

• Always bring water for your pet. Conferences are stuffy and my dogs always seemed to need more water.
• Often a vendor will offer collapsible pet dishes, but bring one in case they do not.
• Bring some treats and reward your pet for good behavior.
• Always carry several poop bags.
  • Remember to walk your dog often, they will be nervous and being outdoors helps to calm them.
• Above all, enjoy your pet and reward them often—then they will have a great time.

I am debating about bringing Buffy, my cocker spaniel with glaucoma, to the BlogPaws conference in April. She has had temporary blindness a few times and I am told that stress may bring up her eye pressure. But sometimes it goes up when she is not under stress. It is only a matter of time before she will go completely blind according to my vet. She has already lost about 95% of her vision.

Many people have read my blogs about Buffy and she has a bit of a fan base. So I would really like to bring her. Leaving her at home with my husband may also cause her some stress, since I am her person (technically, she is my sister since I inherited her from my mom).

If I bring Buffy to the conference, this is what I plan to do:

• Buy a dog stroller to give her some measure of security. Although, she may not like it since I always walk her. She weighs about 30 pounds, so I need to get one that will fit her.
• I will not be able to keep her in a hotel room since I will probably be camping. So my backup plan is to leave her in the car for short periods if she needs a break (weather permitting – it shouldn’t be too hot in April and I’ll have a sweater for her if it is cool).
• Bring a crate to leave her at the Pet Parks if she seems stressed. I think she would feel better if she was in her own crate.
• Bring her pain medication if she gets a migraine headache from elevated eye pressure. You can read last week’s blog on an accidental overdose of her pain meds.

What are your concerns about bringing your pet to BlogPaws or a pet-friendly conference?

Do you have any other ideas on how to prevent stress for you or your pet during the conference?